One of the hardest parts of being a nurse is comforting and supporting the bereaved family at the time of death. Normally, family members are heartbroken, grieving at the death. On a few occasions, I witnessed something different. Mr. Jones, an elderly patient owned a successful insurance agency. Every morning, he donned freshly laundered silk pajamas. When discharged, He wore a fine finest suit, shirt, shoes, and hat and took great pride in being noticed. He bragged of buying a new Cadillac every year, dining at the most prestigious restaurants, and enjoying a membership at The Country Club.
His son, Junior Jones was in his late fifties and had always worked for Daddy. It appeared Mr. Jones was none to generous nor kind to Junior. Junior dressed in cheap clothes and drove an ancient compact car. It must have been miserable since he was so tall he had to fold up like a jackknife to fit in it. When Junior came to the hospital to consult with Daddy about the business, Daddy was condescending, snide, and critical, never showing Junior the least respect.
One the morning Daddy died, we’d called to notify Junior his father’s death appeared imminent. Junior came streaking into his father’s room just moments before Mr. Jones’ death. I offered my condolences. Junior ignored me, opened the drawer of the bedside table, dug out the keys to his father’s Cadillac, his father’s checkbook and left the room without speaking. A nursing assistant who was a friend of the family walked him out to the parking garage. He handed her the keys to his small car and drove off in his father’s big, black Cadillac. That was different! I guess he’d had enough.
It was a shame but I can kind of understand. His father didn’t foster much love as he treated him like cheap labor. I wonder if the Will left everything to his son. You never know. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLike
At that time, in Louisiana, half the estate went to wife and the other half was divided among children. That son would have gotten a child’s portion. At that time, property division was mandated. Now a person can leave property as they choose except in case of child will disability. Disabled child get a child’s portion, no matter what will specifies.
LikeLike
We all grieve in our own way! At last I would imagine it brought a smile to his face when he was driving that caddie and thought about his father.. what a shame they could not see eye to eye in life. great post Linda.
LikeLike
Thank you. I’ll bet he did smile!
LikeLike
I wonder… did he turn out just like Daddy? It doesn’t always happen, but being so quick to snatch and run makes me wonder.
LikeLike
I hope not,
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah. Well, I’m proof you can change genetic tendencies if you really want to. My brother, though was less forgiving of our parents than I was and yet he’s a good egg. So, lets hope it taught him to be a better parent.
LikeLike
I hope so. There might be some good in hard things.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You reap what you sow.
LikeLike
Yes indeed.
LikeLike
One can only stomach so much before they let go or explode
LikeLike
He’d had plenty.
LikeLike
A happy ending!
LikeLike
I guess for sonny.
LikeLike
Hmm, he is definitely an example for making the best of everything… lol!
LikeLike
True. Not a happy family.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sad… but as always, you have that way of telling stories… lol!
LikeLike
It is based on truth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I believed so!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Nutsrok.
LikeLike
Thanks.
LikeLike
Who could blame him? LOL!
LikeLike
Not me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We just assume that someone will always mourn our loss. Sad. There must have been a lot of history behind this story. It’s not always pretty.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It didn’t look good from what I saw.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Blatant payback. Guess Junior was counting the days. Tsk. Tsk. 😮
LikeLike
What a shame, because it’s true that you cannot take it with you and family should be more important than money, but…
LikeLike
Might be like my cousin told his wife, “If you do take it with you, it’ll just burn up!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
That must have been a bit of a surprise to see! I can kind of understand it, but Junior could have at least said goodbye to his dad before nicking his car!
LikeLike
He certainly didn’t get me all soggy with his tears.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always a shame when you see those closest to the patient being mistreated, when daddy died Junior took over and his first executive decision was to take what was rightfully his. There’s a moral here, treat others disrespectfully and they’ll dance on your grave. What goes around comes around in the end. As a nurse you must have seen all kinds of grief when a loved one dies, as well as joy at the end from those left behind when an abusive parent/spouse dies.
LikeLike
It was a sad commentary on family. I have seen a few who were openly relieved to be rid of family. That is really sad.
LikeLike
That was so sad, for everyone…
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a loss for your child to be glad!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know whether to laugh or to cry after reading this. So sad that the father had no one to mourn him at the end, but then he did bring it on himself.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He was a sweetheart.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on perfectlyfadeddelusions.
LikeLiked by 1 person